Message from the Principal 

VALE MAX SMITH

We shared the very sad news this week that our much-loved groundskeeper and maintenance man, Max Smith passed away at work last Friday. He died doing what he loved, in a place (Greenhills) that he loved. Max was looking after our school and mowing our lawns right to the end. He was even wearing his Greenhills Bulen Bulen house top!

We would like to extend our deepest sympathies and thoughts to Max’s family and friends, in particular his daughters Jaclyn (Jacci) and Leeanne, his grandchildren and his partner Julia. We know they will feel a deep loss and that we are here to support them through this time. 

Max had been at Greenhills for over 25 years after being employed by former principal Alan Fairweather. Max has done so much to help our school especially in maintaining and improving our grounds and facilities. During this time, he has been part of many building projects which has seen our whole school change from the time he started. He is remembered for helping in so many ways across so many school events including spring fairs. 

Over the next few days, weeks and months our school community will continue to support each other at this difficult time, and we encourage you to contact your child’s teacher or us should you have any concerns. There will be times ahead when members of our school community may be triggered or feel sadness and grief. Talking about these things and seeking support is important and please reach out to our principal team at any time.

One thing we would like to acknowledge is the support and understanding of our students and families, particularly during the time we communicated we were in lockdown through to being able to release the news about a staff member passing away. We have been very thankful for your cards, flowers, special treats and messages our families have been sending.

Our staff and principal team have been around each class checking in with everyone and answering the many questions our students have. Our students have lots of ideas for how we can best remember and acknowledge Max including a tree planting and garden memorial. We will work through this with his family and at the right time in the future we will confirm these plans.

When we know more information and plans about Max’s memorial service, we will share these with you.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP SHINES 

COLOUR RUN

Our student action teams are really hitting their straps and we have lots of “actions” to finish off over the last term of the school year. Last week our Community Action team ran their very own Greenhills Colour Run. The weather was terrific and we all enjoyed the chance to run and walk around the block and get dusted in colour as well. Thank you to Ruby Cuce and the Community Action team for all their organisation and initiative. 

THANK YOU TEACHERS – WORLD TEACHERS DAY – FRIDAY 31st OCTOBER

World Teachers' Day will be celebrated in Victoria on Friday 31 October 2025, but at Greenhills we will be celebrating this day a week early this Friday (24th October)! 

Our teachers will enjoy a special morning tea over an extended recess. 

The day honours the passion and hard work of teachers, who play a crucial role in shaping the minds and futures of our students. World Teachers’ Day was established in 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to recognise the role of teachers in society. The focus for this year’s celebration is: recasting teaching as a collaborative profession.

MINI FAIR EXCITEMENT BUILDING

Only two more sleeps until our very own Mini Fair. During the Mini Fair students will be able to purchase food, drinks, novelty items, play games, competitions and much more. We ask that students please bring their cash in a plastic sealed bag with their name on it (no more than $25). Items to win/purchase range from 50c to $8.  To help with giving change we ask that students bring small notes and coins instead of large notes.  

All the money raised will go towards the purchase of new cubby houses (different styles in different areas of the school) and a Nudel cart. A Nudel cart is a system of building materials that allows students to create construct and de-construct. 

END OF YEAR ARRANGEMENTS

With so much happening over the next couple of weeks, here is some important information to assist your family with planning for the end of the school year and rush into the Christmas. 

Meet the Teacher #1  9.15am – 10.45am Thursday 4th December (*including 2026 Preps between 9.30am and 10.30am)

Meet the Teacher #2  9.15am – 10.45am Tuesday 9th December (*note not 2026 Preps) 

Semester Two Reports – sent home via Compass on Monday 15th December.

Class of 2025 Graduation – Thursday 11th December

Final Assembly – Farewell Year 6’s – Tuesday 16th December from 2.30pm

Thursday 18th December – STUDENTS DO NOT ATTEND. This is a Professional Practice Day for staff. This is part of the Victorian Government Agreement where schools can hold a common day for all staff. We have selected this day as late in the term as possible (as opposed to an earlier day this term) to minimize the interruption to student learning. 

Friday 19th December – school will finish at 1pm (No Assembly).

In making these arrangements, we will ensure that all class parties and special events are held on or prior to Wednesday 17th December. This will mean that students who do not attend on Friday 19th for the short day will not miss out on anything.

Whilst our school office is always open on school days between 8.15am and 4.15pm, we will not be accepting any parent payments after Friday 12th December. This will provide time for the end of school year financial and administration processes to be completed.

TERM 4 - MEET WITH THE PRINCIPAL TEAM

Keep the date free: Wednesday 12th November at 7.30pm. This will be our Term 4 Mid-Term Meet with the Principal Team. The session will be held via Webex with the link sent out shortly. Some of the topics that we will cover include:

• Feedback on our School Wide Positive Behaviour Matrix
• School structure & class sizes model for 2026

LONG SERVICE LEAVE

I will be taking a period of Long Service Leave from Monday 27th October to Friday 7th November and jetting off to Sri Lanka and the Maldives for 12 days. Earlier this year I booked this trip via a Trip a Deal that seemed too good to miss!  

Janine Hough and Brad Ryan will be the Acting Principals during this time or other senior staff that they delegate if they are absent.

Good luck to both our Year 4 Campers at Camp ADANAC from Wednesday to Friday next week and of course our Year 5 students with their Cultural City Day on Monday!

James Penson,

Principal.